Healthy Connections, Inc., held a special event on Tuesday to celebrate the retirement of Director of Nursing Phyllis Cunningham.
She has spent the past 14 years with Healthy Connections and the past 32 years in nursing. She has been an amazing leader to us all and we wish her the best in the next chapter of her life.
“Kindness is so critical to our success and to making our workplace happy. I love Maya Angelou’s quote: ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I’ve always tried to live by that,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know that I bring a lot of skill but I do try to bring that. Being kind and loving people and caring about people makes all of our work every day so much easier.”
Cunningham has been a part of tremendous growth for Healthy Connections in her 14 years with the organization. When she started, Healthy Connections had just two clinics – Mena and Mt. Ida. There are now 13 clinics in nine communities stretched from Little Rock to De Queen.
“From the staff and everyone at Healthy Connections, we want to let Phyllis know how much we appreciate you,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections, Inc. “I think everyone is aware of how large we have gotten and Phyllis has gone along with the paces the entire time. In everything we have done, she has stepped up.”
Cunningham is known for her sense of humor and sayings that bring smiles to the faces of her co-workers. One of her favorites is, “We choose our attitude every single day.”
“This has been a great place. There are so many opportunities here,” Cunningham said.
Thanks, Phyllis for all you’ve done for our patients, co-workers, and communities.
Healthy Connections Community Health Network has been named a finalist for Organization of the Year by the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Organization of the Year is presented annually to a Hot Springs area nonprofit. The award will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Annual Banquet and 2022 Community Service Awards at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Event Center.
Congratulations to all the worthy finalists.
December is the gift that keeps on giving. And these employees gave their all for Healthy Connections this month. Congratulations to our HealthyConnections Shining Star December Employees of the Month:
(DRUMROLL)
WEST: debbie BAILEY
EAST: MONICA HAHN
Each month across the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, exemplary employees are nominated for this award for representing our Three Pillars: Excellence, Compassion, and Community. These pillars are considered heavily when choosing winners.
As winners of this Shining STAR award, Debbie and Monica are winners of a $50 gift card to the HC Hub Company Store.
Debbie works with Human Resources in recruiting for the Community Health Network. Monica is a phlebotomist at the Hot Springs Central clinic
- “Debbie has done an amazing job and has made the hiring process go so much more smoothly. She is professional, friendly, and helpful to both managers and new employees. She develops a rapport with new hires which certainly helps in getting them off to a good start. I truly appreciate her.”
- “Monica is the definition of excellence, compassion, and community! She always makes sure to clarify orders so that the right tests get done in a speedy manner. This is such a help for providers and helps us all deliver more quality care. She is knowledgeable about all things lab-related and is always happy to lend her help and expertise, even when it is not expected or required. She is a friendly face and always brings positive energy into the work environment. Patients love her and trust her. She rocks!”
Congratulations to both Debbie and Monica.
Thanks again this month to everyone who nominated an employee. There were a lot of great nominations. Do you know who should be our next employees to be recognized? You can nominate them by visiting https://www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.
Dr. Vito Calandro is leaving Healthy Connections Specialty in January 2023. His patients will now be seen by nurse practitioners Jennifer Kesterson, APRN, and Zachary Geiling, APRN, in collaboration with Dr. Jeffrey Tauth from Hot Springs Heart and Vascular. This will continue at the Healthy Connections clinics in Mena, Hot Springs, and Hot Springs Village.
Healthy Connections Community Health Network is excited to announce our 2022 Employee Award winners.
